The Allegheny County Office of Conflict Counsel is tasked by the Fifth Judicial District with handling court-appointments in criminal, delinquency, and dependency cases.
The Criminal Division is assigned cases that constitute a conflict of interest for the Office of the Public Defender for preliminary hearings at Pittsburgh Municipal Court, cases listed for trial at the Court of Common Pleas, and cases that are pending an appeal before the Superior Court of Pennsylvania.
Individuals that are qualified to receive representation from the Office of the Public Defender are eligible to receive an appointment to the Office of Conflict Counsel. Court Administration or the presiding judge in the Court of Common Pleas will automatically appoint the Office of Conflict Counsel upon referral from the Office of the Public Defender. Potential clients need not make any additional effort to qualify.